‘We need retrofit strategy, not another reshuffle’ – FMB
Another cabinet reshuffle – including the fifth new housing minister in 12 months – will do nothing to ease the woes of SMEs without bold policy action, says the FMB in response to the...
Housebuilding declining, commercial growing, supply issues normalising – S&P
Mixed fortunes are highlighted in the latest S&P Global construction survey, with house building in deep decline while commercial grows, against a background that sees earlier serious supply problems continuing to normalise.
Improving supply issues,...
Construction buoyant but strong headwinds coming – CPA
Construction activity is set for a dramatic slowing in growth with further uncertainty ahead as global issues start to affect the UK market, according to the latest quarterly forecast from the Construction Products Association.
The...
‘Business optimism lowest for two and a half years’
UK construction companies signalled a renewed slowdown in business activity growth during November, with optimism among businesses now at its lowest since May 2020, according to the latest S&P Global / CIPS UK survey.
Tim...
Recession fear drives fall in construction confidence
Confidence amongst constructors dropped into negative territory last month for the first time since the initial Covid-19 wave and for only the sixth time on record amid expectations of a recession and poor demand...
Reeves pledges return to homes targets with planning rules overhaul
New chancellor Rachel Reeves used her first days in office to commit the incoming government to reform the National Planning Policy Framework and bring back mandatory housing targets.
She also pledged a new taskforce to...
No recovery yet as CPA forecasts recession to continue through ‘24
The end is not yet in sight for the expected recovery in construction output with a forecast 0.7% growth now downgraded to a contraction of 0.3% due to a weaker economic backdrop.
Interest rates have...
Shortages, delays and price hikes halt construction growth
Transport shortages and delays as well as the sharpest rise in building costs for over two years helped bring an end to seven months of growth in UK construction output, according to the latest...
Inflation forces drop in profit forecasts – CPA
Continuing increases in energy and materials costs have forced construction profit margin forecasts to drop to the lowest level since 2020, with Wales and the South West, followed by Scotland, expected to suffer the...
Rising costs continue to dampen product growth optimism
Light side construction products showed growth for a ninth quarter in succession while increases in energy, fuel and materials costs continue to add uncertainty to the immediate future, according to the Construction Products Association’s...
